Peasants take over resort in Mexico

Larry Habegger, James O'Reilly, Special to The Chronicle

Published
4:00 am PST, Sunday, March 9, 2003

Mexico: Peasants loyal to Zapatista rebels occupied Rancho Esmeralda, a resort owned by two former Peace Corps workers outside Ocosingo in Chiapas state, Feb. 28. Since their 1994 uprising, Zapatistas have criticized ecotourism and foreign investment and have advocated land redistribution and taking over ranches in the area. No one was injured in the takeover of the ranch, which is listed in guidebooks as one of the best places to stay in Mexico.

Switzerland: U.S. consulates in Geneva and Zurich were temporarily closed Feb. 26-28 and again Monday and Tuesday because the U.S. Embassy in Bern received information of a threat to American property or buildings in Switzerland. The embassy remained open. For updates, check www.usembassy.ch/Consular/updates/tempclosingge.htm.

Guatemala: Striking public school teachers disrupted the international airport in Guatemala City on Feb. 25-26 and shut down the regional airport in Flores, serving Tikal National Park. They blocked highways all over the country and caused the closure of many border checkpoints. Strikers vowed to continue protesting around the country during negotiations with the government.

They rejected the latest government offer Monday. Further disturbances are likely if a settlement isn't found. Follow local press reports for updates.

Congo (Brazzaville): The second outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the past 15 months is occurring in the districts of Mbomo and Kelle in the Cuvette Ouest region in the northwest. This area includes the popular Odzala National Park, which is now closed. The area is being quarantined.

Indonesia: A group called the Islamic Defenders Front, which has vandalized nightclubs, massage parlors and pool halls that they say are poisoning Indonesian society, is re-establishing itself in Jakarta after suspending operations in November to distance itself from the bombings in Bali. At that time, seven of its top members were sentenced to four months in prison. Check with local contacts about the likelihood that nightclubs you patronize will become targets.